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ACT Reading

Elimination and Educated Guessing

Learn Elimination and Educated Guessing in ACT Reading from the production AIPH study guide.

Study guide topics

Understanding ACT Reading PassagesMain Ideas and Supporting DetailsInference and InterpretationAnalyzing Author's Purpose and ToneComparing Multiple PerspectivesInterpreting Visual and Quantitative InformationApplying ACT Reading Skills to Academic SuccessUsing Reading Skills in the WorkplaceBecoming an Informed CitizenTime Management During the ACT Reading TestElimination and Educated GuessingActive Reading Techniques

Study Strategies

## Boost Your Odds Not sure of the answer? No problem! The ACT doesn't penalize you for wrong answers, so use process of elimination and make your best guess. ### How to Eliminate Choices - Cross out obviously wrong or extreme answers. - Look for choices that don’t match the passage’s main ideas or details. - Narrow your options to two, then pick the best fit. ## Why Guessing is Smart Eliminating wrong answers increases your odds of guessing correctly. It’s always better to guess than to leave a question blank!

Examples

  • Eliminating two answer choices that misinterpret the passage, then selecting the best from the remaining ones.
  • Guessing after narrowing options to two, rather than leaving the question blank.
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